### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Chephtsîy bâhh**, represented by `{{H2657}}`, literally means **my delight (is) in her**. It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses. It is used both as a personal name for an individual and as a powerful, fanciful name for Palestine, signifying God's restored favor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical occurrences, `{{H2657}}` is used in two distinct ways. First, it appears as a proper name for the mother of Manasseh, king of Jerusalem [[2 Kings 21:1]]. Second, and more symbolically, it is used by the prophet Isaiah to represent a new identity for the land of Israel. The land will no longer be called Forsaken or Desolate, but will instead be called **Hephzibah**, because the Lord's delight is in her [[Isaiah 62:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in [[Isaiah 62:4]] provide a fuller picture of the meaning of **Hephzibah**:
* `{{H2654}}` **châphêts** (to be pleased with, desire): This is the root from which Hephzibah is formed. The verse explicitly connects the new name to this action, stating "for the LORD **delighteth** in thee" [[Isaiah 62:4]].
* `{{H5800}}` **ʻâzab** (to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; ... forsake): This is the root of the land's former name, "Forsaken." The new name Hephzibah stands in direct contrast to this state of abandonment [[Isaiah 62:4]].
* `{{H8077}}` **shᵉmâmâh** (devastation; ... desolate(-ion), waste): This word forms the other former name, "Desolate." It represents the state of ruin and devastation that is reversed by God's renewed delight in the land [[Isaiah 62:4]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2657}}` is centered on God's redemptive character.
* **Divine Restoration:** The primary theme is God's power to reverse a state of judgment. The renaming of the land from "Forsaken" `{{H5800}}` and "Desolate" `{{H8077}}` to **Hephzibah** is a prophetic declaration that God will restore His people and land from ruin to a place of honor [[Isaiah 62:4]].
* **God's Sovereign Delight:** The name is a direct statement about God's affections. It reveals a God who takes pleasure and delight in His people, as confirmed by the use of the verb **châphêts** `{{H2654}}` in the same passage. His delight is the very reason for the restoration [[Isaiah 62:4]].
* **Covenant Intimacy:** In the same verse where the land is called **Hephzibah**, it is also called "Beulah" and it is said that the land "shall be married" `{{H1166}}`. This links God's delight to the intimate and secure covenant relationship of a husband to his wife, signifying a move from abandonment to union.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2657}}` is far more than a simple name. While it serves as a historical name for a queen, its deeper significance lies in its prophetic use. It encapsulates the promise of divine restoration, changing a reality of desolation and abandonment into one of favor and delight. The name **Hephzibah** stands as a powerful symbol of God's intimate, covenantal love for His people and His ability to redeem and rename them according to His pleasure.
TRV